Earlier this year, New Ulm set up an airport consultant selection committee to find an engineering firm to provide consulting services at the New Ulm Municipal Airport related to the crosswind runway project.

In April, the city council authorized staff to meet with representatives from Mead & Hunt, Inc. to review the scope of work and services needed to utilize future State and Federal funds for Airport Improvements and maintenance. A master service agreement was written and revised with the help of the city attorney following the meeting. The final draft was submitted to the council for consideration.

This agreement does not commit New Ulm to any expenditures. Individual projects and task orders will be reviewed by the council before expending funds.

After approving the master service agreement, the first task order related to the crosswind runway project was brought before the council. The task order was for the creation of crosswind runway designs.

The New Ulm Municipal Airport’s is planning to improve and relocated its crosswind runway. By moving the location of the crosswind runway and giving it an east/west alignment, the airport will have a wind coverage rate of 98% and improve safety.

The cost to Mead & Hunt for the design fees is $181,120 but is contingent on New Ulm receiving the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) grant for engineering services.

In March 2024, Congress directed $2.5 million in funding to New Ulm for the crosswind runway projects. The funds must be used by Sept. 30, 2026. The funds will be used to relocated the turf crosswind runway at the airport.

City Engineer Joe Stadheim said 95% of the project funding will be reimbursed through FAA grants. A future State of Minnesota companion grant is also anticipated to fund 2.5% of the project, leaving a local share of 2.5% or $4,528.

The crosswind realignment project has been on New Ulm’s radar for nearly 20 years but cost prohibited the project until federal funding became available.

Safety is the top reason for the realignment project. Currently, New Ulm’s airport has 94% wind coverage between its two runways. By moving the location of the crosswind runway and giving it an east/west alignment, the airport will have a wind coverage rate of 98%. This means aircraft will be able to safely land at the airport under 98% of wind conditions. This is especially important for New Ulm’s airport, which is heavily used by smaller fixed-wing and single-engine planes. Smaller aircraft are more susceptible to strong crosswinds. The new crosswind runway will make it easier for smaller crafts to land.

A windsock at the New Ulm Municipal Airport indicates a strong wind. Tuesday the New Ulm City Council took the first steps at designing a new crosswind runway for the airport.

Economics is another benefit for the project. Stadheim said many of the biggest users of the airport were local businesses; such as Christiansen Farms, 3M, SpecSys, Kraft and other Ag producers. Some businesses fly in and out of the airport every day.

Councilor Tom Schmitz made the motion to approve the crosswind runway task order to Meas & Hunt professional service contract.

“I think maintaining and improving our airport is of critical importance,” Schmitz said. “It is a huge part of infrastructure and relocating that runway was part of the master plan and very important.”

The motion was seconded by Councilor David Christian and unanimously approved.